Housing

HomeStay!

BluesSHOUT! 2017 is happy to offer a limited housing program for travelers. Due to the size of BluesSHOUT! it is unlikely that we will be able to get everyone who applies housed. The best bet is to register early, request housing, and book a hotel room as a fall back plan.

If you do find yourself staying with a local Chicago resident, we ask that you be mindful of the host/guest relationship. Below are a few guidelines to help ensure a smooth stay. Please do take the time to read these notes, our safer spaces policy, and be considerate of your fellow dancers.

Being a Good Host

At a minimum, your guests require a space to sleep and a shower.

Please have your bathroom cleaned, dishes washed, and floor swept. If you have bedding, please make sure it is washed.

You are not obliged to offer your guests a key to your home, however, if they will not have one, please make it possible for them to get in and out before and after classes and dances in some other way.

When filling out a housing form for an event, please over-inform if you can. It is important to know such details as the fact that you must be at work at 8am on Monday morning, and all guests must depart by that time.

Please communicate very clearly in advance with your guests about what you can and cannot offer with regard to transportation, bedding, and availability, as mentioned above.

If there are things or rooms that are off-limits to your guests for whatever reason (construction in process, it’s your roommates room), please make it very clear with a note or a sign.

Consider printing/writing up a few things in advance and leaving it on the coffee table or fridge: how to access WiFi if available, nearby restaurants, a few house rules, your tentative schedule for the weekend.

If you have pets, make sure they are prepared for the weekend too! If you move their litter box, for example, will they instead pee on your guests airmattress?

Both parties are responsible for coordinating arrival and depature times. Compromise is essential here!

Above all else, communicate a lot! Really, a whole lot.

Being a Good Guest

Just like the office refrigerator, you will be expected to refrain from eating food not clearly stated to be available for snacking.

At a minimum, wash your own dishes, and throw away paper products and food items. A great guest will offer further help such as cleaning up after a communal meal or helping to set up bedding.

If you are anything but a heavy sleeper, consider bringing both earplugs and an eye mask.

It is very good etiquette to bring a small gift for your host. Some nice chocolate, a bottle of wine, paying for a meal, or even just a simple card to demonstrate your appreciation. The cost of a small gift is far less than the cost of a hotel room!

When filling out a housing form for an event, please over-inform if you can. It is important to know such details as the fact that, while you will be driving, you will need to be visiting your great aunt Myrtle in the suburbs from 12pm-7pm on Saturday.

Please communicate very clearly in advance with your host and other guests about what you can and cannot offer with regard to transportation, bedding, and availability, as mentioned above.

It is generally assumed that a person with a car will be willing to transport other guests or their host to and from events. Car passengers should expect to chip in $5-$10 each for gas. The driver has every right to set rules for their car, and one passenger should adopt the role of navigator if the driver would like help.

The sooner you sign up for housing, the better spot you will get. If you are a late registrant, you cannot be guaranteed a bed, or a host with a car.

Err on the side of modesty in order to respect the privacy of others. In short, parading around in your birthday suit is not advised.

Both parties are responsible for coordinating arrival and depature times. Compromise is essential here!